Geography (KS4)

This GCSE course encourages learners to think like geographers through the study of geographical themes applied within the context of the UK and the wider world. This structure allows learners to draw synoptic links between the content within the comparable themes. The course gives a prominent position to fieldwork and other geographical skills whilst ensuring they are embedded within students knowledge and understanding of geographical themes. This course will provide learners with a solid grounding, whether they are going on to Further Education, Higher Education or the workplace. It aims to inspire a passion for geography within learners which encourages an interest in the subject beyond academic achievements. Students will cover a range of topics which will develop their knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, and of different scales including local, national and global; and of social, political and cultural contexts.

Assessment:

This qualification is assessed through three exam papers.

Living in the UK Today: This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of the following elements- landscapes of the UK, people of the UK and UK environmental challenges. It is 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks worth 30%.

The World Around Us: This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of the following elements- ecosystems of the planet, people of the planet, environmental threats to our planet. It is 1 hour 15 minutes, 60 marks worth 30%.

Geographical Skills: This paper assesses students understanding of geographical fieldwork, as well as broader geographical skills such as photo analysis, and interpreting maps and graphs. It is a hour 30 minutes, 80 marks worth 40%.

There is no coursework for this qualification.

Why Study Geography?

Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is fun. This GCSE course is a good mix of topics such as urban issues, world development, extreme environments, rivers and glaciers to name but a few. The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world. There are so many ways of learning in geography. It is very practical with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. There has never been a better time to study geography so make the choice to go places with geography by taking geography at GCSE.

Further information on Geography can be obtained from Miss R Brenton, Head of Geography.